§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will facilitate the availability of disposable hypodermic syringes and needles to diabetics needing insulin and others who need regular parenteral medication.
§ Dr. VaughanDisposable hypodermic syringes and needles can already be supplied through hospitals when considered essential for patients who need to inject themselves regularly with insulin or other medication. Such single-use syringes and needles have little advantage, other than 627W convenience, over reusable ones when used by a patient following good hygienic practice.
I do not consider that we should be justified in diverting from other NHS priorities the expenditure that would be entailed in making single-use syringes and needles generally available on prescription. To provide them for diabetics alone would cost well over £9 million annually in England.
General medical practitioners are given free supplies of single-use hypodermic equipment for use when they themselves administer injections to patients.